MSPeconomist

SC membership gives access to a couple other lounges (AF at CDG IIRC, for example) that don't accept the DL Reserve card (with a SkyTeam flight) for access. This would only help if the passenger is in coach or PS and isn't GM+ or maybe for a GM+ on a domestic AF flight.

verneg

I'll be flying DL a lot. I'm in a DL hub and most of the nonstops to/from here are on DL. But I'm mostly concerned about the Sky Club access with the DL Reserve card, though the other added benefits might be nice. I'm pretty much trying to decide between the Amex Platinum and the DL Reserve.

Does anyone know if Delta will allow you to cancel a Sky Club membership within, say, 30 days if you haven't used it and get a refund?

Duke787

No -- and will just gloss over the morals of the underlying question you are getting at here.

It's in the T&Cs "Delta Sky Club Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. Delta Sky Club facilities may be used only in conjunction with same-day ticketed air travel on Delta or a Delta partner airline. You must be at least 18 years of age for Club membership. You must be at least 21 years of age to enter Clubs with a self-service bar, unless you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Access to partner lounges is subject to partner rules, terms and conditions. All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Club membership and use."

dlflyer00

No partner lounges in 2019, in the exact same quote I posted above for travel on Delta. They’re the same as the card now.

Zorak

Is a "real" SC membership still upgradeable to Exec with cash/miles? That might be another difference. (although I forget if a SC membership purchased outright vs a SC membership using a Choice Benefit differed in this regard)

Right; I think Gig103 is thinking of the new United Club restrictions which went into effect Nov 1.

mattp1987

The big difference is that DL Reserve card comes with SkyClub access while the AA Executive card comes with an Admiral's Club membership. I assume what the boss is doing is buying a second membership directly from AA. He submits this to the company for reimbursement and eventually gets refunded for the membership by AA as well when their system sees that he has two memberships.

IMO, this is not feasible on DL as well as being unethical to submit expenses that were later charged back for reimbursement.

jamesteroh

Delta will not refund a SC membership. A few years ago when Delta did the serious downgrading of the liquor (fortunately it only last a couple months) to Gordon's some people wanted to cancel their membership and Delta wouldn't budge.

Gig103

Ooops, it's AA where the restrictions were Nov 1.

flyerCO

Not since Jan 1. SC membership only gets access to SC locations now.

flyerCO

Yes can be upgraded using miles or cash. If you goto the Skyclub membership page it'll give you prices in both.

Upgrading a choice benefit membership is the best deal. It upgrades you through the period your choice membership benefit gives you. Ie I requakified for DM early this year, around March/April. I used a 2020 DM CB to get SC membership valid through Jan 31, 2021. I then went and used miles to upgrade to Executive membership. I now have an executive membership through same date.

ATLflyer2017

Why can't you just get the Reserve card, and print out the page right before you check out for the SkyClub membership online and submit that?

lost_perspicacity

That pretty much crosses the line from borderline-fraud to clear-cut fraud.

ATLflyer2017

How? Still getting a skyclub membership, just a different way. No more fraud than purchasing it, getting a refund and submitting the receipt.

Often1

"I just started a new job" says OP.

Perhaps committing what is mail fraud, wire fraud, and income tax fraud on your first day (or thereabouts) is not the best way to advance one's career or keep one's compass pointed ahead.

It is the employer who sets the terms of what it offers and the employee who accepts them, negotiates for different ones, or turns the job down. If the employer chooses to reimburse a membership but not a CC fee which includes a membership, either one asks to have the policy changed, turns the job down, or lives within the rules.

Let's not forget the NBA referees who went to federal prison, not for doing a lousy job officiating, but for purchasing fully refundable F tickets, submitting those for reimbursement and then refunding them and purchasing the cheapest Y ticket to be had. That reimbursement becomes taxable income and they did not report it.

xooz

Since they will reimburse half of a membership, why not consider getting a membership for whoever is your second choice carrier? There are many times my secondary carrier is one I have no status on and otherwise have no lounge access when flying them. If your travel patterns are frequent enough, consider who your second choice carrier is and see if you would benefit from lounge access on that carrier if it was half price.